‘If Vidarbha were a state,there would have been no farmer suicides’

Taking a departure from the “injustice” premise to push for statehood,Ashish is stressing upon progress.

“There is no point raking it up again and again. It’s (injustice) a thing of the past and doesn’t resonate with the younger lot. I think Vidarbha is not just viable but necessary for the youth of the region,who now have to migrate to Mumbai,Pune and other places for jobs. That’s why Vidarbha Joint Action Committee (VJAC) has decided to apprise the youth about the immense potential statehood holds for Vidarbha,” Deshmukh said.

Deshmukh cited the example of neighbouring Chhattisgarh. “It was more backward than Vidarbha. Now,it has progressed well as state. Vidarbha,too,will if given statehood,” he said.

“If Vidarbha was a state,farmers wouldn’t have committed suicide as they would have received aid immediately. Also,Naxalism would end in the face of development. Projects like MIHAN and sectors like mining and tourism would get a boost,” Deshmukh said.

Meanwhile,over 100 activists,including some leaders,were arrested at after they staged a rasta roko and burnt copies of the Nagpur Pact.